Crowning a hilltop south of Newport, this castle was the dominant
defensive position on the Isle of Wight for more than 600 years.
With its keep, battlements and working well house Carisbrooke
Castle is an exciting site for the whole family to explore.
There was a Saxon presence here in the 7th century and a timber
campaign fort in the late 11th century, while the curtain wall
and keep were built after 1101. The present castle has existed
on this site since 1100, when the island was granted to the
de Redvers family. In 1293, the castle passed on to the crown
and, when England came under threat from France and Spain, Carisbrooke
became enormously significant in the defence of the realm. After
the Spanish Armada passed alarmingly close in 1588, it was suspected
that the Spanish might attempt to seize the island.
In response to this
perceived threat, Sir George Carey transformed the castle into
an artillery fortress. The present well house and tread wheel,
also built by Carey, are open to visitors and still in use today.
The wheel may originally have been worked by prisoners, but,
since the late 17th century, donkeys seem to have been used
instead. Visitors can still see donkey demonstrations in the
well house.
In 1647, Charles I was imprisoned here. He was comfortably
accommodated in the Constable's Lodging and a bowling green
was constructed for his recreation. Nevertheless, he made
two attempts to escape and was foiled only when he became
wedged in the window's bars. The on-site Isle of Wight Museum
also holds a collection of memorabilia and artefacts related
to Charles I.
